Beautiful Snowflakes and Snow Crystals

In Celebration of Snowflakes and Snow Crystals

Most would agree that a snow-covered field is a beautiful sight. But deep within that snow lies a symphony of microscopic beauty in each of the individual snowflakes and snow crystals. In 1885, Wilson Bentley became the first person to photograph a single snowflake, and since then people around the world have been able to marvel at the simple beauty of these tiny works of art. This lens celebrates the beauty of snowflakes and snow crystals.

They can be categorized in six main shapes - plate or flat, stars, column, needle, dendrite and capped column.

Snow crystals grow fastest near 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Most snowflakes are less than a half inch across.

The Guinness Book of World Records says the largest snowflake recorded ever was 38 cm (15 in) across by 20 cm (8 in) thick and was found in Montana.

We've all heard that no two snowflakes are alike. But is it true?

According to Wikipedia, "Strictly speaking, it is extremely unlikely for any two macroscopic objects in the universe to contain an identical molecular structure; but there are, nonetheless, no known scientific laws that prevent it. In a more pragmatic sense, it's more likely-albeit not much more-that two snowflakes are virtually identical if their environments were similar enough, either because they grew very near one another, or simply by chance. The American Meteorological Society has reported that matching snow crystals were discovered in Wisconsin in 1988 by Nancy Knight of the National Center for Atmospheric Research."

Cloud physicist Jon Nelson from Ritsumeikan University in Japan also says it "very likely" that identical snowflakes exist.

"How likely is it that two snowflakes are alike? Very likely if we define alike to mean that we would have trouble distinguishing them under a microscope and if we include the crystals that hardly develop beyond the prism stage-that is, the smallest snow crystals."

Who Was the First Person to Photograph Snowflakes? - Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley captured over 5000 images in his lifetime

In 1883, long before cameras became commonplace, 17-year-old Wilson Bentley convinced his parents to purchase one of these expensive new pieces of technology. Two years later, on January 15, 1885, he became the first person to capture a photo of a single snowflake. At first, people doubted the authenticity of his photos, but over time he became known for his achievements. His book, Snow Crystals, was published in 1931.

Snow Crystal Photos by Wilson Bentley

Public domain images from "Snowflake Bentley"

These are just a few of the photos of beautiful snow crystal patterns recorded by Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley during his lifetime.

"Snowflake" Bentley's Book of Snow Crystals - Get a closer view of snowflakes

Throughout his life, Wilson Bentley captured over 5000 images of snow crystals. In 1931, he published a book containing many of these images. Although the original hardcover version is long out of print, the paperback version contains the same original, groundbreaking photos.

Make a Snowflake

A fun site for kids

Make a Flake is one of those sites where you can happily waste time and bandwidth on mindless entertainment. Use their virtual scissors to cut the paper on the screen and soon you'll have your own (virtual) paper snowflake without all the paper trimmings on your floor. You can then save it to the gallery or email it so others can enjoy your artwork.

Did You Learn Something New About Snowflakes? - Let us know or just say hi!

No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites.

sending

EpicFarms

5 years ago

I did; I'm trying to wrap my head around a 15" snowflake - wow! What a neat little lens and a fun read :o)

awesomedealz4u

6 years ago

Interesting lens!

awesomedealz4u

6 years ago

Interesting lens!

Susan Deppner

6 years agofrom Arkansas USA

You covered the subject well! I love the snowflake pictures and the intricacies of the flakes. It's interesting to read that it's likely a myth about no two snowflakes being alike. I always wondered who could check them all! Blessed in honor of Punxsutawney Phil!

Susan Deppner

6 years agofrom Arkansas USA

You covered the subject well! I love the snowflake pictures and the intricacies of the flakes. It's interesting to read that it's likely a myth about no two snowflakes being alike. I always wondered who could check them all! Blessed in honor of Punxsutawney Phil!

Teri Hansen

6 years ago

fun page.

Teri Hansen

6 years ago

fun page.

Blackspaniel1

6 years ago

Great lens!

OzGirl LM

6 years ago

I have always loved snowflakes in art. This is a great lens, esp loved the info about Bentley and his first snowflake photos. I may have to get his book!

sukkran trichy

6 years agofrom Trichy/Tamil Nadu

wow. it is really amazing. what a beautiful natural designs and structure. thanks for the info and lovely photos.

Patricia

6 years ago

Snowflakes are so cool! I love them!

Mary Norton

6 years agofrom Ontario, Canada

Winter for me has some of the most beautiful images and snowflakes on trees when they turn to ice are tops.

Linda Pogue

6 years agofrom Missouri

The photos of snowflakes are great. Thanks for sharing!

MadHaps LM

6 years ago

From Buffalo but living in FLA since 72 haven't seen snow in years. Nice lens, new to Squdidoo only have done one myself "Orchids of the Americas" while seeing how everyone else puts things together.

lesliesinclair

7 years ago

It's amazing to see the actual structure of snowflakes. I didn't realize before that there are six types of snowflake forms. Stunning!

Laraine Sims

7 years agofrom Lake Country, B.C.

This is lovely. It's the only time that I like to see snow now; in a photo.

Blessings.

natashaely

7 years ago

What a lovely lens, the snowflakes look wonderful :)

AmateurAtHTML

7 years ago

So pretty to look at. So heavy to lift when you have to shovel snow! Thanks for this page!

Sea0tter

8 years ago

What a beautiful and informative lens!

Lisa Auch

8 years agofrom Scotland

Well done

caketech

8 years ago

Angel blessings to you! I love the intricate designs of snowflakes!

Sensitive Fern

8 years ago

Snowflakes never cease to fascinate me! Beautiful lens!

compugraphd

8 years ago

Check your date on the first snowflake photographer part. I think you made a slight typo. :-) -- like the lens, BTW.

luvmyludwig lm

8 years ago

I love snow even though I rarely see it in Georgia. I love the christmas ornament that you have featured, beautiful.

anonymous

8 years ago

Snowflakes are truly the most unique form of precipitation.

Donnette Davis

9 years agofrom South Africa

Oh what a delightful Lens... Came across it while researching Bentley for a Unit Study I am doing on- wait for it -&gt; THE SNOW QUEEN - thought Snowflake Activities would complete it... :D) Thank you

Deb Kingsbury

9 years agofrom Flagstaff, Arizona

Snowflakes are just amazing. I do believe it certainly is possible for there to be identical flakes ... but I sure doubt anyone will ever find them! I never realized, though, they all had six sides. Interesting.

ElizabethJeanAl

9 years ago

Hi,

My name is Elizabeth Jean Allen and I am the new group leader for the Nature and the Outdoors Group.

Lizzy

AlisonMeacham

9 years ago

Snow flakes seem so simple on the outside but are so complex. Beautiful lens.

ElizabethJeanAl

9 years ago

Welcome to The Totally Awesome Lenses Group.

Lizzy

Wendy Henderson

9 years agofrom PA

wonderful lens. I really enjoyed it.

ChristopherScot1

9 years ago

Great lens Lisa. Thanks for supporting A Day of Hope! :-)

GrowWear

10 years ago

Beautiful lens. Beautiful snowflakes. Going to take my grandson to make snowflakes at your link during the holidays. Sounds like fun!

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